Peace and Development

Yvonne Chaka Chaka, renowned world singer from South Africa, gave a powerful intelligent speech at the House of Lords London. Hosted by the Rt. Hon. Baroness Sandip Verma, Under Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. Convened by Justina Mutale, Jacque Onalo and Deborah Owhin. Members of the "POWER 14" consortium of Diaspora Women Leaders in association with the Universal Peace Federation.

South African Superstar and Legendary Singer, YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA who is also UNICEF & Roll Back Malaria Ambassador and Founder of Princess of Africa Foundation will be a Keynote Speaker at this Conference, together with Justina Mutale, who is African Woman of the Year 2012, International Women’s Think Tank Global Envoy and World Leaders Forum Advisory Board Member. (For Photos courtesy photographer695 Link )

The Princess of African Foundation was established in 2006 to complement the work of Yvonne Chaka Chaka as UNICEF and Rollback Malaria Goodwill ambassadors in Africa. It is a non-profit organization registered under Section 21 of the Companies Act with main objectives being to carry out community and social charity works.

The Conference hosted by the Rt. Hon. Baroness Sandip Verma, Under Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to discuss the role of women in the rise of Africa, with special focus on the need for the Diaspora African Woman to constructively engage with the current exciting and transformative moment in

Africa’s history. The Conference provided delegates an opportunity to gain insight and join discussions about the obligations, obstacles andopportunities for the Diaspora African Woman in Africa Rising. It is hoped that the Conference provided an avenue for understanding and paving a way for African women, including those in the Diaspora, to play an integral part in the rise of the continent in the wake of Africa’s changing political, environmental; economic and social landscape; and the United Nations Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda.

"POWER 14" is a consortium of African Diaspora Women Leaders selected for their phenomenal leadership qualities and achievements in community development. The "POWER 14" are part of the top 100 Diaspora ChangeMakers Network, a project by the Royal Society of Arts with support from DfID's Common Grounds Initiative, Comic Relief and Unbound Philanthropy, that seeks to identify and bring together the UK’s most promising individuals of African origin with a desire to support African communities in the UK and Africa.

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) is a global network of individuals and organizations dedicated to building a world of peace centered on universal spiritual and moral values. It is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It supports and promote the work of the United Nations and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and advocates renewal of the United Nations, including a proposal that the United Nationscreate an interreligious council within its structures. UPF implements its programs through a global network of Ambassadors for Peace.

In the evening there was a viewing of the documentary ‘The Motherland Tour: A Journey of African Women with Yvonne Chaka Chaka'. As one film review explains:'The Motherland Tour is a labour of love, with a special message from a woman who clearly loves her country, her continent and the people that struggle tremendously to live within it.' The documentary explains the work of The Princess of Africa foundation countering ignorance of malaria and highlighting treatment methods. The documentary also illustrates her work to promote education for women and the role of women to enhance development.

This moving documentary starts with a quote: “The curious beauty of African music is that it uplifts even as it tells a sad tale. You may be poor, you may have only a ramshackle house, you may have lost your job, but that song gives you hope. – Nelson Mandela”.

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Press Release: YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA TO SPEAK AT AFRICA RISING CONFERENCE IN LONDON

South African Superstar and Legendary Singer, YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA will be in London next week. Ms Chaka Chaka, who is a UNICEF & Roll Back Malaria Goodwill Ambassador and Founder of Princess of Africa Foundation will hold the London premiere of her film: “A MOTHERLAND TOUR: A Journey of African Women with Yvonne Chaka Chaka”which will be screened in the wings of the 58th BFI London Film Festival. (photographer695 for photo)

Ms Chaka Chaka will also be a Keynote Speaker at the Conference on “AFRICA RISING: THE ROLE OF THE DIAPSORA AFRICAN WOMAN”, which will be hosted by the Rt. Hon. Baroness Verma, Under Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at the House of Lords, Westminster Houses of Parliament on Thursday 2nd October 2014. The Women’s Conference will discuss the role of women in the rise of Africa, with special focus on the need for the Diaspora African Woman to constructively engage with the current exciting and transformative moment in Africa’s history. The Conference aims to provide delegates an opportunity to gain insight and join discussions about the realities, obligations, obstacles and opportunities for the Diaspora African Woman in Africa Rising. The Conference has been convened by members of the “POWER 14″,who include Justina Mutale, Founder & CEO of POSITIVE RUNWAY, who is also African Woman of the Year 2012 and Gender Equality Ambassador & Spokesperson for the International Women’s Think Tank; Jacqueline Onalo, Human Rights and Immigration Lawyer at R. Spio & Company Solicitors and a trustee of Community Development Initiatives (CDI); and Deborah Owhin, Gender Equality Specialist and Founder of Made Equal, a vision to engage, educate and empower people in their 20s and 30s in the campaign to eradicate gender inequality.

“It is hoped that this Conference can provide an avenue for understanding and paving a way for African women, including those in the Diaspora, to play an integral part in the rise of the continent in the wake of Africa’s changing political, environmental; economic and social landscape; as well as in the United Nations Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda” says Justina Mutale.

The Conference will be moderated by International Broadcaster, Vuyiswa Ngqobongwana who presents the Africa Today Programme on PRESS TV. Other Speakers include Lukwesa Burak, TV Presenter and News Anchor, SKY World News;Melissa Powys-Rodrigues, Chairperson, South African Chamber of Commerce UK; Anna Vanderpuye, CEO of African Business Roundtable; Chief Kate Anolue, former Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield and Founder of the Forum for African Women in Politics; Sherry Ann Dixon, Founder & CEO of Women on the Crossroads; Chioma Agwuegbo, Social Media Strategist and Founding Editor at Naija2015; Perez Ochieng, Founder & CEO of Sahara Communities Abroad (SACOMA); and Dr Titilola Banjoko, Healthcare Manager and Director, AfricaRecruit and FindaJobinAfrica.com.

“African women have to continue to increase their input into policy development and large scale businesses across Africa and in the Diaspora as the outputs have a direct impact on societies. This means breaking out from traditional preconceived areas of engagement such as gender development, micro business etc to mainstream areas such as macroeconomics and health”. says Dr Titilola Banjoko

The Conference will be followed by the Private Screening of Yvonne’s Film, which isbased on women’s health and empowerment. The film tells the inspirational story of African women who are making a positive impact on the health of their communities. In the film, Yvonne travels through Africa meeting courageous women who are changing lives. As each story unfolds, so does a powerful message: “Health is not a luxury of the few, but an inalienable right for all”. By following Yvonne on this journey, audiences will hear the voices of the marginalised women and communities empowered by hope, which may not only lift viewers’ spirits but also raise voices against the disparities that still exist around the world. This film is a call to action for nations to honour their commitments to improve the health of all Africans, especially women and children in meeting the Health Millennium Development Goals.

The Conference is organised by members of the “POWER 14” in association with the Universal Peace Federation. The “POWER 14″is a consortium of African Diaspora Women Leaders selected for their phenomenal leadership qualities and achievements in community development. The “POWER 14″are part of the top 100 Diaspora ChangeMakers Network, a project by the Royal Society of Arts with support from DfID’s Common Grounds Initiative, Comic Relief and Unbound Philanthropy, that seeks to identify and bring together the UK’s most promising individuals of African origin with a desire to support African communities in the UK and Africa.

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) is a global network of individuals and organizations dedicated to building a world of peace centered on universal spiritual and moral values. It is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It supports and promotes the work of the United Nations and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and advocates renewal of the United Nations, including a proposal that the United Nations create an inter-religious council within its structures. UPF implements its programs through a global network of Ambassadors for Peace.